Blueberry ‘Jersey’

Blueberry, Corymbosum ‘Jersey’ is a late-season variety that is easy to grow, high-yielding, and one of the oldest and most widely grown blueberry varieties. This variety is an all-time favorite blueberry with a distinctly sweet flavor.   ‘Jersey’ is an outstanding variety for the home landscape and with its famous cold hardiness, you’ll be harvesting for years to come.  The berries are dark blue, medium in size, and very sweet. Long clusters of fruit are prolific on the 6-foot tall bush. The plants are vigorous in most any soil, therefore ‘Jersey’ is widely planted by commercial growers in Michigan. One plant may produce up to 15 pounds of fruit mid to late in the season. ‘Jersey’ is an excellent choice for berries to ripen after ‘Blueray.’   Many people who know their berries will tell you this old variety is the best. The berries are not as big as some, but many think the taste is sweeter. This tall and well-shaped bush has excellent ornamental value, too.  Blueberries are a beautiful productive hedge with spring flowering on dark green foliage, delicious fruit in summer, and fiery red foliage for autumn color.

Set plants out as early as possible in the spring. Prune branches back about 1/2 their length at planting time with no further pruning required the next 3 years. Prune annually thereafter during the dormant period.

Plant Details +

Botanical Vaccinium corymbosum 'Jersey'
Cultivator Type High-bush hybrid
Common Name Blueberry 'Jersey'
Family Ericaceae
Size 1 YR #1
Height 48-60"
Spacing 48-60" wide
Hardiness Zones 4-8
Exposure Full sun
Foliage Large, dark green
Fruit Deep blue berries
Harvest Late-season

Planting/Care Instructions +

Planting Instructions: Prepare the ground well before planting. Blueberries prefer an acid soil. In alkaline soil, add ammonium sulfate for best results. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Be careful not to plant too deeply. Spread roots out in a downward direction in your hole leaving the main trunk above the soil. Add generous amounts of peat but no fertilizer when planting. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Plant early in spring, spaced 4' apart in rows 10' apart. Water thoroughly. Blueberries can also be grown in large pots and containers if compost is used. AFTER CARE: Annual pruning to remove the small branches near the base of the plant and any dead or injured branches is recommended. This promotes an upright vigorous bush that produces larger berries that tend to ripen faster. Prune in winter, cutting out dead or damaged branches. In spring, feed with sulphate of ammonia, sulphate of potash, bonemeal and top-dress with compost.

Pests or Diseases: No serious insect or disease problems. You can protect fruit from birds with netting.